Next step for the Pzr III K Diorama was putting down the grass. After the celluclay and dirt base dry. I used my air compressor to blow off excess (good set of lungs works just as well). I dry brushed the earth tones finishing with just a wisp of pure white.



Next I got jute gardening rope… natural fiber 6 strand used for all sorts of garden needs. Easy to find at any Home Depot, Gardening store and one roll last forever. I pick up mine new in the wrapper at a garage for $2. I unwind it, then twist it hard in the opposite direction of the original twist to straighten it out. Next I cut it in varying lengths to give motions and eliminate that mowed lawn look. Pour out a big dollop (for your safety, please note Dollops may vary ;D). With tweezers I pick up a small clump and position.



Note I position each one, one at a time... tried rushing it... mass cuts, short cuts of every kind, but it just looks too uniform. My brain can not seem to plot it out with out repetitive patterns seeming to appear. You are probably smarter then me so any way that works for you is PERFECT.



for similar reason, I also move across the base and switch locations I am working constantly. This keep the identical size and pattern of grass appearing. Go walk a field… heavy grass clumps are fairly random in. Remember grass is theoretically a weed, so it competes with other grasses for water and nutrients. Again, what every works for you is cool… not a in stone rule… (Second Book of Hesitation, though Shalt NOT glue any other pattern then…. does not apply.)



So just go with the flow. Occasional, as it dries, I will take the end of a paintbrush and stir eh grass up… eliminating any fun looks that might have happen. In this diorama it is late summer so I used the natural color of the twine. IF I was doing tall green grass I would first unwind, and stretch out, then spray he grass green color I desired with my Airbrush (I use about 70% Denatured Alcohol)… let dry and follow the same procedure. Result came out nice I think… you decide…







Next step, work on the Tank Commander and Gunner…

Neill

Looks very natural. Thanks for the grass tip!

Yes, Thanks for the tip on making the grass. . A Very Well done Panzer, I like the track work. milvehfan

GREAT TIP, That's the best method I have seen thus far

Good effect with the grass John. Looks great.

Looks natural to me, great job on the panzer as well!

Chas

Hi John ,

That Panzer III K looks the biz ! really like the grass effect it looks very natural

All best wishes

Jerry

I used this method here:



(thread hijacker alert! )

To eliminate a regular look, I cut the jute diagonally , then unwind it, pull the strands apart and rearrange them. It works great!

SCOTT

Hi John
Nice little diorama. Very nice painting.
Grass looks great, I've always used this method works very well.
Funny enough have just done a load of grass using this method on a Vietnam diorama still not finished yet.
Will be waiting to see the finished result.

Was nice of you to share your process on doing the grass. The whole project looks really nice.